Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says Rodri will return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s Clasico against Real Madrid after being left out of the team that began Tuesday’s 4-2 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.
Flick said the decision was made to ensure Rodri was fully prepared for the match, with Marc Bernal starting in his place in Paris.
“Yes, but you know Rodri played a lot of minutes with the national team and also the last games with us,” Flick told reporters after the defeat.
“I spoke with him this morning and I told him that we made this decision, and Marc Bernal started instead. For me, it was a good solution what we did and hopefully he is fresh on Sunday.”
Rodri was introduced after an hour at the Parc des Princes, but Barcelona’s perfect record for the season ended as the defending European champions recovered to win.
Paris Saint-Germain took the lead through Desire Doue before Xavi Espart equalised for Barcelona. Lucas Hernandez then restored the hosts’ advantage, only for Lamine Yamal to make it 2-2 in the 79th minute.
Vitinha put Paris Saint-Germain back in front two minutes later, while Fabian Ruiz completed the scoring to secure victory for the home side.
Flick acknowledged that Barcelona had surrendered possession too often but believed the match had provided valuable evidence of what his team must improve.
“I think it was a fantastic game from both teams but we made too many mistakes, especially in possession,” he said.
“But I also saw a lot of good things. For me it was a great test for us and you also saw today what errors we have to improve to make things better.”
The Barcelona manager said the result should be viewed in the context of a long season rather than as a decisive setback in the Champions League.
“We have to learn from this game. Today, in October, you cannot win titles. You win the Champions League in June.”
Flick also confirmed that the approaching Clasico had played a significant role in his selection against Paris Saint-Germain.
The match gives Barcelona the opportunity to move nine points clear of Real Madrid in LaLiga, and Flick said that possibility influenced his team choice “a lot”.
